and as evidenced in this thread there are likely some in the US who get it wrong and pronounce it that - some people do pronounce words wrongly. The standard UK pronounciation doesn't have a -ette on the end, it has an -ay

I've noticed that people in the UK tend to use the pronunciation of a term's original language.

Some years ago we were on a ship. The theater was named after Vincent Van Gogh. Here, the name is usually pronounced Van Go. When making announcements about the day's schedule, the English Social Director always referred to the place as the Van Khok Lounge. There were people who had a hard time finding the place for a day or two.

But then, when referring to a self-serve display of food in a restaurant, most People in the US would call it a 'Buff-AY' while those in rhe UK would call it a 'BUFFette'

Ah, the glories of the English language.

"It's always a problem to know -- Is the chap called Van Gokh, or Van Go? This doubt re the name, I confess, to my shame, Makes my highbrows go terribly low."

And just to add to the confusion -- I (lifelong Brit) call the self-serve jobbie, a BUFF-ay. (Teenyweeny -- just noticed your post -- but which syllable do you put the accent on?)

I would probably give both syllables equal stress. I think we can both agree, though, that it isn't a 'buffette'. (Although, I do sometimes say that as a little joke. I also enjoy saying 'ballette'. )

On the Van Gogh thing, it is neither, both Brits and Americans simply can not pronounce the name correctly.

I understand there's a similar problem with the Capitol of Denmark, and I've heard this from Danes.

In English, it's 'COPE-en-haygen' or 'COPE-en-hahgen'. In Danish, it's more like 'Coabn-hven'. The problem is that, when English speakers attempt the Danish pronunciation, it almost always comes like the German pronunciation and brings back uncomfortable memories of WWII.

I'm British -- same as you, if I'm right -- so I say "val-ette", accent on first syllable (not a word I use much in conversation -- haven't been the employer of a personal body-servant in recent times).

I'm British -- same as you, if I'm right -- so I say "val-ette", accent on first syllable (not a word I use much in conversation -- haven't been the employer of a personal body-servant in recent times).